Local builder charged with DUI

Published: Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 6:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 6:17 p.m.

A well-known local builder and businessman, who the Florida Highway Patrol says left the scene of an accident and was found asleep in a pile of ants by a trooper, was arrested early Saturday morning on several charges, including DUI, according to authorities.

Trooper Kasi Farrell told lead investigator Cpl. Susan Barge that a truck traveling northbound on U.S. 441 near Southeast 59th Street had swerved around a moped also heading northbound on the same roadway, causing it to overturn and eject the rider, Jamie Allen Izaguirre.

The truck’s driver, Brian Edward Ehlers, lost control of the vehicle and it crashed on the east shoulder of the roadway, troopers said.

Izaguirre said Ehlers exited the truck and walked away from the accident. Trooper Alain Fernandez said he later found Ehlers, 49, a short distance away, sleeping in a pile of ants.

Izaguirre was taken to West Marion Community Hospital, where spokeswoman Suzanne Santangelo said he was treated and released.

In her report, Barge said Ehlers told her he didn’t see the moped. Barge noted Ehler’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and he was unsteady on his feet.

Ehlers agreed to take a field sobriety exercise, which he failed, FHP said.

Upon arrest Ehlers was charged with DUI property damage, DUI injury, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and leaving the scene of a crash with injury.

Taken to the Marion County Jail, Ehlers registered a .187 and .176 on a breath test, both of which are more than twice the legal limit. The state’s legal limit is .08.

He told officials he was drinking beers at a downtown bar.

Ehlers was released at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on $2,000 bond. In a brief interview with the Star-Banner, Ehlers said, “I’m extremely remorseful, and I love my family and we will get past this. I’m sorry for the man that got hurt.”

Owner of Brian Ehlers Construction Inc., Ehlers and his company are responsible for the construction of multiple buildings in Ocala, some of which includes the Gateway Bank of Central Florida and the plaza that houses the Horse & Hounds Restaurant, both on East Silver Springs Boulevard, Rasmussen College off State Road 200 and a number of doctor’s offices.

<p>A well-known local builder and businessman, who the Florida Highway Patrol says left the scene of an accident and was found asleep in a pile of ants by a trooper, was arrested early Saturday morning on several charges, including DUI, according to authorities.</p><p>Trooper Kasi Farrell told lead investigator Cpl. Susan Barge that a truck traveling northbound on U.S. 441 near Southeast 59th Street had swerved around a moped also heading northbound on the same roadway, causing it to overturn and eject the rider, Jamie Allen Izaguirre.</p><p>The truck's driver, Brian Edward Ehlers, lost control of the vehicle and it crashed on the east shoulder of the roadway, troopers said.</p><p>Izaguirre said Ehlers exited the truck and walked away from the accident. Trooper Alain Fernandez said he later found Ehlers, 49, a short distance away, sleeping in a pile of ants.</p><p>Izaguirre was taken to West Marion Community Hospital, where spokeswoman Suzanne Santangelo said he was treated and released.</p><p>In her report, Barge said Ehlers told her he didn't see the moped. Barge noted Ehler's eyes were bloodshot and glassy and he was unsteady on his feet.</p><p>Ehlers agreed to take a field sobriety exercise, which he failed, FHP said.</p><p>Upon arrest Ehlers was charged with DUI property damage, DUI injury, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and leaving the scene of a crash with injury.</p><p>Taken to the Marion County Jail, Ehlers registered a .187 and .176 on a breath test, both of which are more than twice the legal limit. The state's legal limit is .08.</p><p>He told officials he was drinking beers at a downtown bar.</p><p>Ehlers was released at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on $2,000 bond. In a brief interview with the Star-Banner, Ehlers said, “I'm extremely remorseful, and I love my family and we will get past this. I'm sorry for the man that got hurt.”</p><p>Owner of Brian Ehlers Construction Inc., Ehlers and his company are responsible for the construction of multiple buildings in Ocala, some of which includes the Gateway Bank of Central Florida and the plaza that houses the Horse & Hounds Restaurant, both on East Silver Springs Boulevard, Rasmussen College off State Road 200 and a number of doctor's offices.</p>